Chicken and Broccoli Pasta Bake

The broccoli will finish cooking as the casserole bakes, so you just need to blanch the florets briefly in the pasta water.

Makes 8 servings Total time: 11/4 hours

15 21/2

1/2

3

1

4

11/2

1

1/2

3

1

1

1/3

1/4

1/2

3

2

round butter crackers (such as Ritz) cups grated Asiago (5 oz.), divided cup pecan pieces

Tbsp. unsalted butter, melted lb. ziti cups broccoli florets lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite-sized pieces tsp. paprika tsp. each onion powder, garlic powder, and kosher salt

Tbsp. unsalted butter cup each diced onions and red bell peppers

Tbsp. minced garlic cup all-purpose flour tsp. cayenne pepper cup dry white wine cups whole milk cups low-sodium chicken broth

Salt and black pepper to taste

Preheat oven to 375°. Coat a 9×13-inch baking dish with nonstick spray.

Pulse crackers, 1/2 cup Asiago, pecans, and melted butter in a mini food processor until coarsely chopped.

Cook ziti in a pot of boiling salted water to al dente according to package directions, adding broccoli during last minute of cooking; drain and rinse in cold water.

Toss chicken with paprika, onion powder, garlic powder, and salt.

Melt remaining 3 Tbsp. butter in a pot over medium heat. Add chicken and cook until nearly cooked through, 4–5 minutes; transfer to a plate. Add onions and bell peppers; cook until softened, about 5 minutes.

Add garlic and cook until fragrant,

30 seconds. Stir in flour and cayenne; cook 1 minute. Slowly whisk in wine, scraping up any brown bits, and cook until liquid almost evaporates. Slowly whisk in milk and broth, bring to a boil then simmer until beginning to thicken.

Off heat, stir in remaining 2 cups Asiago, ziti, broccoli, chicken, and any juices from plate; season with salt and black pepper. Transfer ziti mixture to prepared dish and top with cracker mixture.

Bake casserole until sauce is bubbly around edges and topping is golden brown, 25–30 minutes; let rest 10 minutes before serving. Per serving: 278 cal; 4g total fat (2g sat); 47mg chol;

151mg sodium; 37g carb (3g fiber, 6g total sugars);

21g protein